Modi Begins UK Visit for FTA Signing, to Attend Maldives Independence Day as Guest of Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Wednesday for a two-nation tour to the United Kingdom and the Maldives, with a focus on bolstering economic cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.

Modi’s first stop is the United Kingdom, where the highlight of the visit will be the formal signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The agreement is expected to significantly boost economic ties, investment flows, job creation, and innovation in both countries.

During the UK visit, Modi will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III. He noted that the visit presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-UK collaboration across key sectors such as trade, defence, technology, education, health, research, and sustainability.

Following the UK leg, Modi will travel to the Maldives on July 25–26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu to attend the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations as Guest of Honour. The visit also commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.

Modi expressed optimism about the visit, stating:

“I look forward to my meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership, to advance our joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen our cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.”

The visit signifies a notable improvement in India-Maldives ties, which had soured after Muizzu won the presidency in 2023 with an “India Out” campaign and initially aligned more closely with China. Relations began to thaw after Muizzu attended Modi’s third-term swearing-in ceremony in June 2024, followed by India’s economic support during the Maldives’ financial crisis.

Modi emphasized that this visit is aligned with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and is expected to yield tangible outcomes that benefit both nations.